Cassie sat cross-legged on her bed, the faint light of her wand casting soft shadows on the dormitory walls. The party had ended hours ago and the others had long since gone to bed, but the excitement still buzzed faintly in her chest, keeping sleep at bay. Beside her, a small paper bag rested in her lap, its contents mostly emptied save for a few Sugared Butterfly Wings Fred had gifted her earlier. She plucked another from the bag and bit into it, the crisp, sugary treat melting almost instantly on her tongue.
Her gaze flicked to her nightstand, where Fred's music box sat. She reached for it, running her fingers over the delicate carvings. It was beautiful, impossibly intricate for something so small, and she still couldn't quite believe he'd given it to her.
"You're already unforgettable just by being you."
Fred's voice echoed in her mind, soft and steady. The memory of their conversation earlier at her birthday party played on a loop. Her chest tightened, the weight of his words settling heavily over her.
But even as warmth curled in her chest, a shadow lingered at the edges. She couldn't stop herself from thinking back to Calypso. Her sister, her best friend. The one person who had always made her feel like she mattered.
Until the day she was gone.
To the public, who read the papers the next day, she was just "a child," unnamed and quickly forgotten. Cassie had clung to that detail for years, the quiet proof that her sister's memory had slipped through the cracks of the world. And with it, a piece of herself.
She shook her head, trying to push the weight of it away. Fred couldn't have known. Not about Calypso or the tangled knot of guilt Cassie had carried ever since. It wasn't something that could be easily shaken, but Fred…Fred had tried. Really, genuinely tried. And for a moment, he'd made her believe him.
She placed the music box back on her nightstand, her fingers lingering on the lid before pulling away. As she tidied the gift bag, folding its edges in absent thought, something crinkled at the bottom. She paused, frowning, and tipped the bag to get a better look.
A small scrap of parchment peeked out from the corner, crumpled and torn as though it had been ripped from a larger piece. Curious, she pulled it out, smoothing it flat against her knee. The words scrawled across it in Fred's familiar handwriting were incomplete, but enough to spark confusion:
"—me to the Yule Ball, Soa—"
Her breath caught. She stared at the note, her mind working to fill in the blanks. Her gaze darted back to the music box and then to the parchment again. She thought back to Fred's nickname for her and it clicked. The realization hit her so suddenly it left her blinking in surprise.
Fred had wanted to ask her to the Yule Ball.
A flurry of emotions bubbled to the surface — surprise, confusion, and something warmer, harder to define. She stared at the parchment, the words seared into her memory.
Fred Weasley. Wanting to ask her.
The idea felt so foreign, like trying to fit a square peg in a round hole.
It wasn't that she disliked him. Quite the opposite, actually. Fred was funny, good-looking in that effortless, messy-haired way, and charming enough to have half the school mooning after him. It wasn't hard to see why so many girls fancied him. And yet, Cassie had never thought of him like that before. He was just…Fred.
But now, she wasn't sure she'd be opposed.
Her thoughts spun like clockwork, gears turning but never quite settling into place. Cassie tilted her head, studying the scrap of paper like it might reveal all of Fred's secrets. Out of all the girls who would have said yes without hesitation, why her? Sure, they had become somewhat friends over the last few months, but he was like that with half the school.
"Cassie," came a muffled voice from the other side of the room. Serena, clearly half-asleep, groaned in irritation. "For Merlin's sake, close the curtains and go to bed. Some of us actually need sleep."
Cassie jolted, shoving the note back into the gift bag and tucking it under her bed. "Sorry," she whispered, slipping under the covers.
Drawing the curtains around her bed, she lay staring at the canopy above. The dormitory grew quiet again, Serena's breathing evening out into soft snores, but Cassie's mind refused to settle. She stared up at the canopy above her, Fred's note replaying in her mind like the soft strains of a half-remembered melody.
Maybe tonight wasn't the night for answers. But it was definitely the start of something Cassie hadn't seen coming.
The week following her birthday party passed in a blur. Classes resumed in full swing, dragging Cassie back into the relentless rhythm of essays, spells, and late-night study sessions. She hadn't seen much of Fred since that night, save for the occasional wave in the corridors or fleeting exchange of smiles in the Great Hall. But the note and the music box remained firmly in her thoughts, tucked safely under her bed as if guarding a secret she wasn't ready to share.
As the first Care of Magical Creatures class of the year approached, Cassie hoped the lesson would offer some light-hearted distraction. If nothing else, she knew Padma and Lorelei's company would make it entertaining.
The afternoon sun sparkled on the dew-laden grass as Cassie, Padma, Lorelei, and Hermione made their way toward the paddock. The chatter of their classmates and the rustling of robes filled the air as the group joined the small crowd gathering near the edge of the clearing.
"First lesson of the year, and we're already outside," Lorelei said, shielding her eyes from the sunlight. "I approve."
Padma groaned, adjusting her scarf. "Speak for yourself. It's freezing."
"Be glad it's an afternoon class. At least this way we have the sun to warm us up."
"I'd rather have a blazing fireplace and a cup of cocoa, but sure, let's go with that."
"Do you think the substitute will be like Hagrid?" Hermione asked, her tone hopeful. "Maybe they'll focus on creatures we can interact with hands-on."
Padma rolled her eyes. "I'm hoping for more creatures that don't try to bite your arm off. That would be an improvement."
Lorelei grinned. "Maybe it'll be something totally bizarre, like a Crumple-Horned Snorkack."
"Those aren't even real."
"Well, excuse me for having an imagination."
Before anyone could speculate further, the crowd quieted as a cheerful voice called out, "Good morning, everyone!"
Cassie turned to see a round-faced witch with rosy cheeks and twinkling eyes standing by the paddock gate. Her gray hair was tied back with a colorful scarf, and she wore a deep green cloak and a scarf patterned with tiny golden stars.
"I'm Professor Grubby-Plank, and I'll be teaching your Care of Magical Creatures lessons for the time being. Now," Grubby-Plank continued, clapping her hands together, "I've got a real treat for you today. Follow me, and remember — quiet voices and calm movements, please!"
The students trailed after her to the far side of the paddock, where a sleek, silver unicorn stood grazing in the grass. Its coat shimmered like liquid starlight, and its long, spiraling horn caught the sunlight as it turned its head to regard the class with serene, dark eyes.
"Oh, wow," Lorelei whispered, eyes wide.
"It's gorgeous," Hermione added, practically bouncing on her toes.
Grubby-Plank beamed. "Magnificent creatures, aren't they? Now, who can tell me something about unicorns?"
Hermione's hand shot into the air. "Unicorns are native to Europe and are among the most magical creatures in existence. They're incredibly fast and can evade most predators. Their blood has powerful healing properties, but it's considered a terrible crime to harm one."
"Excellent!" Grubby-Plank said. "Five points to Gryffindor."
Lorelei raised her hand. "Is it true that unicorns prefer to approach witches rather than wizards?"
"Very true," Grubby-Plank said, nodding. "They're much more trusting of feminine energy, though with enough care and patience, they'll warm up to anyone."
Cassie and Padma hung back as Grubby-Plank answered a flurry of questions from Hermione and Lorelei.
"I mean, it's cool and all," Padma murmured, "but I'm not about to write an ode to it like those two."
"Yeah, same. It's pretty, but I'm good from back here."
Padma leaned in closer, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "You know, if she keeps this up, Grubby-Plank might actually turn out to be a better professor than Hagrid."
Cassie raised an eyebrow. "Bold claim."
"Not really. I mean, no Skrewts, no fire-breathing salamanders, no giant spiders...sounds like an improvement to me."
"Are you serious?" Hermione cut in, overhearing. She turned to Padma, her expression indignant. "Hagrid's amazing! He's so passionate about magical creatures, and he always wants us to learn hands-on. That's what makes his classes so unique."
Lorelei nodded enthusiastically. "And he's always so jolly. I love asking him questions after class — he gets so excited, like he can't wait to share everything he knows."
Cassie shrugged. "I don't really care who's teaching as long as nothing tries to set me on fire."
Before the debate could continue, Harry and Ron called Hermione over from the other side of the paddock.
"I'll be back in a minute," Hermione said, hurrying off to join them.
Cassie, Padma, and Lorelei continued their quiet chatter as Grubby-Plank moved on to explaining the unicorn's diet and preferred habitats.
"So," Lorelei said, her gaze still fixed on the creature, "what do you think she'll show us next? Hippogriffs? Bowtruckles?"
"Dragons," Padma said, her tone deadpan.
"You wish."
As the lesson came closer to an end, the students were allowed to approach the unicorn in small groups, provided they followed Grubby-Plank's strict instructions. Cassie watched as Hermione eagerly led her group forward, Lorelei not far behind.
Padma nudged her again. "Not going?"
Cassie shook her head. "You can go if you want."
"Nah, I'm with you. Front-row seats aren't worth getting slobbered on."
Cassie chuckled, her fingers absently brushing against the cuff of her sleeve. For a moment, her mind wandered back to the music box tucked under her bed, the melody replaying faintly in her memory. But as her eyes flicked back to the unicorn, she found herself mesmerized by the creature's calm beauty. The sunlight shimmered off its coat, and a deep, inexplicable sense of peace settled over her.
Whatever thoughts she'd had swirling earlier seemed distant now, lost in the stillness of the moment.
The following days drifted by with their usual rhythm. But as the week wound down, the thought of Aleksandr's Hogsmeade plan resurfaced. Cassie had to admit, she was curious about how things might unfold for her friend — and maybe a little eager to help nudge them along. When Aleksandr suggested they meet in the courtyard after classes, she was quick to agree.
With Serena stuck serving detention, Lorelei off somewhere doing Merlin-knows-what, and Padma busy wrapping up a study session with Professor McGonagall, it was the perfect chance for some uninterrupted scheming.
Cassie leaned against the stone bench, her scarf wrapped tightly around her neck as the chilly breeze teased loose strands of hair from her braid. The castle grounds were quieter than usual, with most students either in the Great Hall or tucked away in the warmth of the common rooms.
She spotted Aleksandr before he saw her, his distinctive stride and easy smile making him stand out against the crowd of stragglers crossing the courtyard.
"Hey," he greeted, his voice warm despite the cold.
"Hey yourself," Cassie replied, straightening up. "So, what's the plan for Operation Padma?"
Aleksandr groaned, rubbing the back of his neck. "It's not an operation, Cass. It's just…a lunch idea. And can we not call it that?"
"Fine, fine. But you're the one who came to me for advice, so spill it. How long have you been crushing on her?"
He hesitated, shoving his hands into his coat pockets. "I guess it started in late November," he admitted. "You know how I've been joining you all at dinner more often?"
"Yeah," Cassie said, tilting her head.
"Well, between you getting caught up in tutoring sessions and Serena and Lorelei preferring to be fashionably late, Padma and I would end up sitting together, just the two of us, waiting for you lot to show up. At first, it was small talk — polite stuff, you know? But then we started talking about our interests. She mentioned wanting to be a writer someday, and I told her about my parents. They've both been pretty well-known in the literature field since before I was born."
Cassie raised an eyebrow. "So you just dropped the whole 'both my parents are famous authors' bombshell?"
Aleksandr laughed. "Not like that! I just told her I grew up surrounded by books and how they shaped my love for storytelling. She lit up — it was like we found this shared language. After a while, we started swapping books and leaving notes in them."
"And now you're smitten. Got it."
"It's not like that," he protested, though his pink ears betrayed him. "I don't know, it's been…nice. Talking to her, I mean. She's easy to talk to."
"That's how it starts," Cassie teased, nudging him with her elbow.
He rolled his eyes. "It's not like I'm head over heels, Cass. I just…like her, that's all. Enough to want to spend more time with her and see where it goes."
Cassie nodded, her grin softening into something more thoughtful. "That's fair. So, what's the plan?"
"I was thinking of asking her to lunch during the next Hogsmeade weekend, but I don't want to make it awkward. Any ideas?"
"Okay, first off, no grand gestures — Padma's not the type. Keep it simple. Maybe next time you loan her a book, slip a note inside asking if she'd like to grab lunch at Madam Puddifoot's. It's personal, thoughtful, and low-pressure."
Aleksandr's eyes lit up. "That's…actually brilliant. Thanks, Cass."
"Anytime," she said, giving his arm a playful nudge.
Before either of them could say more, a voice rang out from behind them. "What are you two whispering about?"
Cassie froze, then turned slowly to see Lorelei standing a few feet away, her arms crossed and a curious gleam in her eye.
"Nothing!" Cassie and Aleksandr said in unison, their overly chipper tones only making Lorelei more suspicious.
"Sure," Lorelei drawled, stepping closer. "Totally looks like nothing. Spill."
Aleksandr coughed, slinging his bag over his shoulder. "I, uh, just remembered — I'm supposed to meet some friends. See you later, Cassie!"
He bolted, leaving Cassie to face Lorelei alone.
"So," Lorelei said, her smirk growing, "what's going on? You and Aleksandr looked pretty cozy."
Cassie groaned. "He doesn't like me, Lorelei. I asked him about it at the ball, remember? He said we're just friends."
"Uh-huh. Sure. Then what were you two plotting? It looked serious."
Cassie hesitated, her brain scrambling for a plausible excuse. "We were just…talking about someone he likes," she blurted out before realizing her mistake.
Lorelei's eyes widened. "Oh, really? Who?"
"I, uh…" Cassie stammered, then quickly recovered. "He didn't say. Just, you know, someone in Ravenclaw. That's all I know."
"You're a terrible liar, Cass."
"I'm not lying!" Cassie said, a bit too defensively. "Anyways, I, uh, I just remembered — I promised Hermione I'd help her with Ancient Runes. Gotta go!"
Without waiting for a response, Cassie grabbed her bag and hurried off, leaving Lorelei standing alone in the courtyard. Cassie's hurried steps echoed faintly in the corridors as she sought refuge in the one place she could always rely on for solace: the library.
The library was hushed, the kind of quiet that seemed almost alive — every rustle of parchment or scrape of a chair magnified in the vast, book-lined space. Cassie had claimed her usual corner, hidden among shelves that smelled faintly of parchment and dust. Her table was a chaotic mess: thick tomes on Latin magic and ancient runes teetered in uneven stacks, surrounded by loose pages of notes, sketches, and spellwork that bordered on obsession.
She tapped her quill against the edge of her journal, her lips pressed into a thin line. Another failed idea. Another dead end.
Her journal was a testament to years of work. Pages crowded with scribbled observations, scratched-out theories, and diagrams that would baffle even the most seasoned spellmakers. Since her first year, she had been chasing the impossible: a spell to counter the Killing Curse. The work was consuming, frustrating, and, so far, fruitless.
Cassie sighed and flipped open another book, this one a heavy, leather-bound volume on historical magical artifacts. She skimmed the pages, barely noticing the ache in her neck from hours hunched over. Her attention caught on a passage near the bottom of the page, and her breath hitched.
"Among the most elusive magical relics are the Scrolls of Athanasia, said to contain powerful protective charms designed to shield the body from mortal harm. These scrolls, created centuries ago, remain shrouded in mystery, with only a handful believed to exist in private collections or the most exclusive libraries."
Cassie's eyes darted back and forth over the paragraph, her pulse quickening. Protective charms for the body — was this what she had been searching for? The possibility sent a thrill of hope through her chest.
She read on, her hand already moving to jot the passage and notes down in her journal. The scrolls had been crafted in a time of great conflict, their purpose to preserve life when death seemed inevitable. They were rare, and the text warned that even locating one, let alone studying it, would be an immense challenge.
"This has to mean something," she murmured, her voice almost reverent.
She circled the passage, her quill leaving an inky smudge on the worn page of her book, and quickly made a note to ask Madam Pince about the scrolls later. She couldn't ignore the possibility, even if it was a long shot.
Just as she turned the page, footsteps interrupted the silence. She glanced up to see Padma and Lorelei weaving through the shelves, their faces lighting up when they spotted her.
"There you are!" Lorelei exclaimed, her voice echoing slightly in the stillness. A few students shot annoyed looks their way, but Lorelei either didn't notice or didn't care. "We've been looking all over for you."
Cassie blinked, surprised. "Why?"
Padma smiled gently, brushing her hair back from her face. "We thought you'd be in the common room. Serena said she hadn't seen you, so we figured we'd come here. Honestly, I don't know why we didn't check sooner."
"Of course I'm here," Cassie said softly, closing her journal a little too quickly. Her voice was heavy with the exhaustion of hours spent chasing answers. "What's going on?"
Lorelei propped a hand on her hip, flashing a grin. "My brother and some of the Quidditch players are out on the field having a scrimmage before the sun sets. It's not official or anything — just a casual game. Padma and I are going to watch. You should come with us."
Cassie hesitated, her fingers lingering on the edge of her journal. "Serena's not going?"
"Nope. She said something about enjoying the peace and quiet in the dorm. Her loss, though, because I hear it's getting competitive out there."
Padma chimed in, "It'll be fun, Cassie. You look like you've been buried in here all day — you could use a break."
Cassie glanced at her cluttered table, then at the two girls. A part of her wanted to stay, to keep digging into the scrolls and see if there was more to uncover. But another part of her, the part that had been feeling restless and desperate for answers all day, craved the rest.
"Fine," she said finally. "Give me a minute to pack this up."
Lorelei grinned. "We'll wait by the entrance. Don't take too long!"
As they left, Cassie carefully gathered her notes and tucked them into her bag, her thoughts still lingering on the Scrolls of Athanasia. She made a mental promise to herself: once this game was over, she'd be back here, picking up exactly where she left off.
She slung her bag over her shoulder and followed her friends into the fading light of the evening.
The soft glow of the evening sun stretched across the castle grounds as the three girls strolled toward the Quidditch pitch. Laughter and chatter filled the air, blending with the faint whistle of brooms slicing through the sky. Cassie adjusted the strap of her bag, glancing over her shoulder at the library doors now far behind. She couldn't help but feel a small twinge of frustration at leaving her work unfinished, but as Lorelei nudged her with a playful grin, the tension melted away.
"You'll thank us for this," Lorelei said with mock seriousness. "Quidditch scrimmages are the perfect cure for whatever academic misery you've put yourself through today."
Cassie chuckled. "We'll see."
The stands weren't packed, but a decent crowd had gathered. A mix of students from various houses lounged on the benches, their faces lit with amusement as they watched the impromptu match. Up in the stands, Lee Jordan was perched on the edge of his seat, narrating the game like it was the World Cup.
"And Bell takes the Quaffle again — she's absolutely unstoppable today!" Lee exclaimed, standing up and leaning forward dramatically. "Will anyone even try to block her, or have we collectively decided to hand her the game on a silver platter?"
"Lee," Lorelei hissed, jabbing him with her elbow, though she was grinning. "At least pretend to be impartial!"
"Impartial? When Hogwarts pride is on the line?" Lee gasped in mock horror. "Never!"
"You realize this isn't an actual match, right?"
"That doesn't mean standards go out the window!" Lee shot back, shaking his head in mock disapproval. "I expect excellence from Gryffindor players in particular — even during scrimmages!"
Padma nudged Cassie, whispering, "I think I know what Lee's doing in the future."
Cassie laughed softly, glancing between Lee and Lorelei as they continued their animated commentary. The two fed off each other's energy, their excitement infectious. It was hard not to smile, even as Cassie's thoughts briefly wandered back to the notes tucked safely in her bag.
Her wandering attention was pulled back to the pitch when a familiar streak of red darted by. Fred Weasley, bat in hand, was scanning the stands. His face lit up as soon as he spotted Cassie.
With an exaggerated wave, Fred nearly lost his grip on his bat. Cassie covered her mouth to stifle a laugh, shaking her head at his antics.
Fred seemed spurred on by Cassie's reaction, diving into a series of increasingly daring maneuvers. He zoomed past the goalposts, spinning and weaving through his teammates with almost reckless precision. At one point, he even flipped upside-down on his broom, earning cheers and whistles from a group of younger Gryffindors.
"He's really laying it on thick," Lorelei remarked, her tone amused but edged with curiosity. "Why does he look like he's auditioning for a circus?"
Padma smirked. "Maybe he is."
Fred scored with a dramatic flourish, tossing the Quaffle over his shoulder without even looking. He turned toward the stands, clearly expecting Cassie to have been watching.
But Cassie, at that exact moment, was distracted by Hermione joining their group.
"Hey," Hermione said, sitting down beside her. "I thought I'd find you here. Serena said you'd all headed to the pitch."
"Yeah, Lorelei dragged me out of the library. Apparently, I needed some fresh air."
"You did," Padma chimed in, earning a mock glare from Cassie.
Fred's gaze flicked to Cassie, then to Hermione, and his confident grin faltered. He turned to Padma, his expression somewhere between exasperated and defeated. Padma bit back a laugh and gave him a subtle shrug.
Lorelei caught the exchange and narrowed her eyes. "What's that about?"
"Nothing," Padma said lightly, though the slight lilt in her voice made Lorelei's suspicion deepen.
The game continued, with players swapping sides and switching positions almost haphazardly. No one seemed to care much about the score. Even Lee had abandoned his commentary to start a mock debate with Lorelei over which broomstick brand was superior.
Cassie leaned back, soaking in the casual atmosphere. She cheered absentmindedly whenever a Ravenclaw player scored and laughed along with Padma at Lee's increasingly ridiculous impressions of the players.
As the sun dipped lower, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink, the scrimmage wound down. Fred scored the final goal of the game, dramatically tossing his broom in celebration.
"Alright, alright," George called out, holding up his hands. "I think we can all agree I was the MVP."
This earned a chorus of boos and laughter from the players and spectators alike.
"Let's call it a draw," a Durmstrang player suggested.
"Fine by me," Lee said, shrugging as he hopped down from the stands. "Though for the record, the Gryffindor players definitely won in spirit."
Lorelei stretched and turned to the others. "I'm going to stick around and talk to my brother for a bit. You lot go ahead to dinner."
Cassie hesitated but nodded. "Alright. See you there?"
Lorelei waved them off as Padma, Hermione, and Cassie headed toward the castle. Cassie glanced over her shoulder once, catching a glimpse of Fred on the pitch. He was talking to George but paused when he noticed her looking. He waved again, grinning, and Cassie returned the gesture with a faint smile.
As they walked toward the Great Hall, Cassie let out a soft sigh, already feeling the weight of her unfinished work creeping back in. Dinner first, she thought to herself. Then she'll worry about it all.
The warmth of the setting sun began to fade, leaving the Quidditch pitch bathed in cooler tones of dusk. Lorelei watched the departing players and students for a moment before letting her smile drop. She wasn't staying behind to talk to Wayne, not really.
She had a plan.
The chill of the evening air crept into her skin as Lorelei settled onto one of the now-empty benches, her arms crossed. She knew she could come off as scatterbrained, lost in her own thoughts, or too wrapped up in her hobbies to notice much. Still, she prided herself on one thing: she noticed things.
People underestimated her all the time. She didn't mind — she knew intelligence took many forms and there was no better feeling than proving people wrong. But sometimes, she felt the need to remind people that she wasn't so oblivious.
She had a knack for piecing things together, for noticing the threads others might miss. And lately, those threads were starting to form a very tangled web around her friends.
She ran a hand through her hair, tugging slightly at a few strands as she thought. First, there was Cassie and Aleksandr. She didn't believe Aleksandr had feelings for Cassie anymore — it just didn't add up, especially after watching the two of them closely during the Yule Ball and what Cassie had said earlier that day. But they were definitely plotting something. The two were terrible at hiding things and Lorelei had noticed the cracks.
Then there were Padma, Serena, and Fred. The three of them had been sneaking off together for weeks now. She'd caught them meeting in empty classrooms more than once, and it had only started getting weirder after the Yule Ball.
She frowned, drumming her fingers on the bench. Fred's sudden focus on Cassie felt connected, too. It wasn't that he hadn't been friendly before, but lately, he seemed...intense.
Her mind flashed back to Lee's words at the Yule Ball.
"So, when are you going to give Fred your blessing?" he'd asked while spinning her around the dance floor.
Lorelei had stumbled mid-step, staring at him. "What's that supposed to mean?"
Lee had just laughed and twirled her again, refusing to answer. At the time, she'd brushed it off, but now the question echoed in her mind, more pointed than ever.
Her frown deepened. If Aleksandr, Cassie, Padma, Serena, and Fred were all connected somehow, what could possibly be tying them together?
She didn't have the answer, but she was determined to find out.
Standing abruptly, she smoothed her robes and squared her shoulders. If there was one thing she hated, it was being kept in the dark — especially when it involved her friends.
Her plan was simple: start with Fred. If anyone was going to crack under pressure, it was him.
Lorelei made her way toward the field's exit, moving quickly but quietly. She slipped into the shadows near the path leading back to the castle, her eyes scanning the thinning crowd.
Fred's laugh rang out over the quiet hum of conversations as he clapped George on the shoulder. The two exchanged a few more words before George headed off, leaving Fred alone to pack up his broom.
Lorelei watched as he turned toward the path. Timing her steps perfectly, she stepped out just as he rounded the corner.
"Oi, Lorelei!" Fred said, startled but quickly recovering. "If you're looking for Wayne, he's already left—"
"I'm not here for Wayne," she interrupted, her tone sharper than usual.
Fred blinked, his grin faltering. "Oh? Then what—"
"We need to talk."
Her voice was firm, almost uncharacteristically so, and Fred froze mid-step, eyebrows raising in surprise.
"Well, alright then," he said, shifting his broom over his shoulder. "Though you've got a bit of a scary vibe going on."
"I mean it," she said, stepping closer. "This isn't a joke."
Fred looked her over, his usual playful demeanor dimming slightly under her intense gaze. "Okay," he said cautiously, his smile gone now. "What's this about?"
Lorelei didn't answer immediately. Instead, she tilted her head, her piercing look holding him in place. "You'll see," she said simply.
Fred swallowed, a flicker of nervousness crossing his face.
And for the first time in a long time, Lorelei had the upper hand.